SCENE I

_Medea, Nurse._

_Medea._ Alas, the wedding chorus strikes my ears; Now let me die! I could not hitherto Believe--can hardly yet believe such wrong. 115 And this is Jason's deed? Of father, home, And kingdom reft, can he desert me now, Alone and in a foreign land? Can he Despise my worth who saw the flames and seas By my art conquered? thinks, perchance, all crime 120 Exhausted! Tossed by every wave of doubt, I am distracted, seeking some revenge. Had he a brother's love--he has a bride; Through her be thrust the steel! Is this enough? If Grecian or barbarian cities know 125 Crime that this hand knows not, that crime be done! Thy sins return to mind exhorting thee: The far-famed treasure of a kingdom lost; Thy little comrade, wicked maid, destroyed, Torn limb from limb and scattered on the sea 130 An offering to his father; Pelias old Killed in the boiling cauldron. I have shed Blood often basely, but alas! alas! 'Twas not in wrath, unhappy love did all! Had Jason any choice, by foreign law 135 And foreign power constrained? He could have bared His breast to feel the sword. O bitter grief, Speak milder, milder words. Let Jason live; Mine as he was, if this be possible, But, if not mine, still let him live secure, 140 To spare me still the memory of my gift! The fault is Creon's; he abuses power To annul our marriage, sever strongest ties, And tear the children from their mother's breast; Let Creon pay the penalty he owes. 145 I'll heap his home in ashes, the dark flame Shall reach Malea's dreaded cape, where ships Find passage only after long delay.

_Nurse._ Be silent, I implore thee, hide thy pain Deep in thy bosom. He who quietly 150 Bears grievous wounds, with patience, and a mind Unshaken, may find healing. Hidden wrath Finds strength, when open hatred loses hope Of vengeance.

_Medea._ Light is grief that hides itself, And can take counsel. Great wrongs lie not hid. 155 I am resolved on action.

_Nurse._ Foster-child, Restrain thy fury; hardly art thou safe Though silent.

_Medea._ Fortune tramples on the meek, But fears the brave.

_Nurse._ This is no place to show That thou hast courage.

_Medea._ It can never be 160 That courage should be out of place.

_Nurse._ To thee, In thy misfortune, hope points out no way.

_Medea._ The man who cannot hope despairs of naught.

_Nurse._ Colchis is far away, thy husband lost; Of all thy riches nothing now remains. 165

_Medea._ Medea now remains! Here's land and sea, Fire and sword, god and the thunderbolt.

_Nurse._ The king is to be feared.

_Medea._ I claim a king For father.

_Nurse._ Hast thou then no fear of arms?

_Medea._ I, who saw warriors spring from earth?

_Nurse._ Thou'lt die! 170

_Medea._ I wish it.

_Nurse._ Flee!

_Medea._ Nay, I repent of flight.

_Nurse._ Thou art a mother.

_Medea._ And thou seest by whom.

_Nurse._ Wilt thou not fly?

_Medea._ I fly, but first revenge.

_Nurse._ Vengeance may follow thee.

_Medea._ I may, perchance, Find means to hinder it.

_Nurse._ Restrain thyself 175 And cease to threaten madly; it is well That thou adjust thyself to fortune's change.

_Medea._ My riches, not my spirit, fortune takes. The hinge creaks,--who is this? Creon himself, Swelling with Grecian pride. 180